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First time in several weeks Russia-backed militants used artillery in the Luhansk sector – Defense Ministry

This week Ukraine suffers no fatalities yet the number of violations slightly increase, situation is the most tense in the Mariupol sector.

The number of violations increased in comparison to the previous week. The highest number of ceasefire violations committed by Russia-backed militants was 72 on Saturday, January 7, and the lowest 32 – on Monday and Thursday, January 2 and 5 respectively.

Luhansk sector

In the Luhansk sector, the militants used artillery for the first time in several weeks. On January 4, they fired four 152 mm rounds at Ukrainian positions near Troitske village. On January 5, militants performed similar act of hostility, but this time fired over four dozen artillery projectiles at the same spot. “Other areas of hostilities were – Popansa, the Bakhmut road and Stanytsia Luhanska. This is where the militants systematically used small arms, rocket launchers and shelled Ukrainian positions with mortars from time to time,” stated Vilyen Pidgornyy, Ministry of Defense spokesperson at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

Mariupol sector

According to the spokesperson, the most intense military confrontations took place in the frontline area stretching from Pavlopil to Shyrokyne village on the Azov Sea coastline. On average, two-thirds of all enemy shellings in the Mariupol sector accounted for Ukrainian positions in Shyrokyne and the neighboring village of Vodiane where Russia-backed militants used practically many different weapons, except for rocket artillery.

Donetsk sector

In the Donetsk sector, the most intense military actions were observed in the area of Luhanske village, next to Svitlodarsk. Last week, in contrast to the previous two weeks, Russia-backed militants refrained from the attempts to assault Ukrainian positions there. Instead, they were actively shelling Ukrainian forces with mortars and cannons during the daytime and at night. The situation was also restless nearby Avdiivka and Horlivka perimeter.

Casualties

Last week, Ukrainian Armed Forces did not incur any fatalities and 17 servicemen were wounded in action.

Report on the military developments as of the previous week is available here, as of January 9 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.

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